Battery Problems?

[W7 KAA]

Hi all

Left the Tusc out for 3 days in the cold and when attempting to start the battery was completely flat.

AA started no problem and it seems to be running and re-starting fine, but is the battery on its way out or is this normal after 3 days out in the cold?

I was told I should buy a lead which connects from below the battery in order to easily jump start. How much are these - where should I buy from - and do I really need one or is there a shortcut to use standard jump leads?

Appreciate any comments!!

Keith

[NCE 61]

Jump leads to connect to the socket behind the front wheel are available from Leven www.leventechnology.co.uk/ .Battery life is only about 3 years in a Tuscan my last one was actually melted from the heat.

[G20RG B]

It might be worth replacing the battery £70/ could save you a lot of hassle.
You could also think about a trickle charger that plugs into the cigarette lighter but you will require mains close buy and really this is only an option if the car is in the garage overnight. Failing that your right about the jumpleads they plug in just behind the nearside front wheel,but you don't want to jumpstarting the car everytime you take it out.
If problem persists I'd look at getting a new battery!!.I had the same problem and since I replaced the battery the car has started no problem and I have just bought the trickle charger as the car is kept in the garage overnight.

good luck ,hope you get started okay...

[mcspreader]

My garage has no power for a trickle charger. I tried a cheap solar panel. No good.
I investigated an expensive solar panel and found that it would be £500 pounds plus to get a reliable kit fitted if I did the work myself.
Today I bought a battery cutout at a Kit Car show. It is 1960s Bosch and is of a quality not found these days(It is all metal with stainless connectors). The plan is to fit it under the front bonnet with a rewired pos+ line. The alarm is disconnected with the feed shut off but this does not matter as the garage is fitted with a telescopic anti ramraid post inside the door.( Satisfies Insurance as an effective anti theft device.) Just a quick twist disconnects all power saving the juice for start.

[BigGriff]

If you do this you risk 'spiking' the ECU as constantly switching on and off the power is highly likely to lead to a failure.

[tvrfreak]

BigGriff said:

If you do this you risk 'spiking' the ECU as constantly switching on and off the power is highly likely to lead to a failure.

Utter rubbish.

[BigGriff]

Fine, carry on it's not my ECU. Check with an autoelectrical specialist before you do so.

Try Demon Tweeks new catalogue. It has what I think you are looking for.

R

[philip_cooke]

When I had reason to call out the AA to help jump start my Chim (a few years ago), the AA man asked if I had already tried to jump start the car. Fortunately I had not for if I had, the AA would not touch it. The reason being that if a car is jump started and the 'good' battery is removed straight away, the alternator 'sees' a very empty battery and whacks up the voltage/current as a result. This can cause a spike which can blow the ECU which is why the AA man wouldn't have touched it. He advised that it is best to leave the jump leads connected for at least 10 mins for the battery to get some charge from the alternator and the 'good' battery. Thus the 'spike' that 'could' blow the ECU could just as easily be caused as routinely connecting/disconnecting the cars battery so I agree with BigGriff. And as he says:

BigGriff said:

Fine, carry on it's not my ECU

[W7 KAA]

Thanks all - it seems to be ok now, so shall buy some jump leads just in case and see how she goes....

[lee02]

Phil glad your happy with your new car.If you want to know anything about the history email me direct.Could you please cover up my number plate though.
Regards Lee allen